Foot-operated electric switch

ABSTRACT

A foot-operated switch for electric lamps and the like, is described. The switch consists of an electric contactor contained in a twopiece casing formed of two juxtaposed half-sheels. The halfshells are kept apart by spring means and are maintained in position by a frame. The contactor closes an electric circuit and lights a lamp, when the foot of the operator exerts a pressure on one of the halfshells bringing it close to the other half-shell.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl ZOO/86.5

H01h 3/14 Field of Search 200/ 16, 86, 86.5, 83.8,164

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,674,669 4/1954 Leedam ZOO/86.5

Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Priority Knut Arenhold 5 Blrkenweg, D Kehl am Rhine, Germany 851,275

Aug. 19, 1969 Aug. 31, 197 1 Aug. 23, I968 France FOOT-OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH 2,683,197 7/1954 Brown ZOO/36,5 2,823,279 2/1958 SchulenburgQ... 200/86 3,086,093 4/1963 Barker 200/865 X 3,233,059 2/1966 Pridham, Jr. et al 200/83 (.8) 3,268,683 8/1966 Palmer 200/33 (.8)

Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott flnorneys- Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato ABSTRACT: A footoperated switch for electric lamps and the like, is described.

The switch consists of an electric contactor contained in a two-piece casing formed of two juxtaposed half-sheels. The half-shells are kept apart by spring means and are maintained in position by a frame.

The contactor closes an electric circuit and lights a lamp, when the foot of the operator exerts a pressure on one of the half-shells bringing it close to the other half-shell.

FT-OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH This invention relates to electric switches used for lighting equipmentsuch as bedside lamps, desk lamps, standard lamps and the like.

More particularly it relates to switches which are operated by-the foot of the user.

Foot-operated switches are widely known and extensively used in a large variety of applications. In many cases however, i

the premises in which switches are located are dark at the time when they are to be operated. To find the switch the user has to look for it in'darkness and this is why a switch should be readily accessible and easy to operate, while not spoiling the appearance of the lamp which it controls.

Switches now in general use do not meet all these requirements at the same time. Thus, the cord by means of which the lamp is connected to the electric outlet is frequently quite long.

The switch lies on the ground and is actuated by foot. Such a switch usually consists of a casing, which may have the form of a cylinder, parallelepiped etc., and a pushbutton projecting therefrom. Now, if the switch happens to lie incorrectly, the user will not be able to operate it immediately. He will have to grope for it in the dark, which will displease him. Furthermore, such switches are usually quite large in size and affect the appearance of the lamp.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved electric switch at least as reliable in operation as switches used in the past and which may be operated by foot regardless of how it lies onthe ground and without obliging the user to bend down to place it in a proper position.

In accordance with the invention this object is achieved by providing a switchcharacterized in that it consists of a casing formed by two juxtaposed individually mobile half-shells, maintained in spaced relationship by resilient spacer means and containing, mounted therein, a contactor adapted to light or extinguish an electric lamp connected thereto.

For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made to the following description given by way of example and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a switch in accordance with the invention.

F IG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line an of FIG. 2.

A switch 1 is interposed between a lamp and an electric outlet. It is connected to both of conductors 2,, 2 which penetrate laterally into it.

The switch 1 consists of two half-shells 3 and 4, having ends 5 and 6 which encircle the conductors 2, and 2,.

The edge of each half-shell terminates in a peripheral lip 8,, 8 The lips are surrounded by a supporting element or frame 9 which has inturned edge portions 10,, 10 which engage the lips 8,, 8 to limit movement of the half-shells away from one another.

In accordance with another embodiment the two half-shells 3 and 4 and due to their resiliency tend to separate the halfshells.=The space 12 defined by the lips 8,, 8, represents the travelling distance of the switch.

In order to prevent the resilient elements 11,, 11 from shifting within the casing the inner surfaces 13,, 13, of the halfshells are provided with positioning pins or studs which penetrate the centralpart of these resilient elements.

Mounted between the two half-shells 3 and 4 is contactor 15 adapted to function when the two half-shells are brought together for example as a result of pressure exerted by the foot of the user upon one of the half-shells. lt-is immaterial whether pressure is exerted upon the half-shell 3 or half-shell 4.

The electrical conductors 2, and 2 are rigidly joined to one of the half-shells by any known means. The other half-shell is provided at its lateral ends 5 and 6 with elongated openings 16, and 16 to compensate for its vertical displacement and reduction in height.

By giving the switch an oblong, long or square shape, it will automatically rest on its plane surface, and this in turn will facilitate its operation.

While the invention has been described in relation to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated that many changes are possible therein, without departing from its scope and spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A foot switch device comprising an elongated flat casing of lesser height than width divided into a lower half and an upper half which are of U-shaped cross section and are movable toward and away from one another, means connecting said two halves to provide for movement of said halves toward and away from one another and for limiting such movement, a switch disposed in said casing midway between the ends thereof and operable by movement of said casing halves toward one another, two spring means disposed between the ends of said switch and the opposite ends of the casing respectively, said spring means acting to move said casing halves apart to the extent permitted by said connecting means, said casing being provided with an opening at at least one end thereof and insulated conductors entering said casing through said opening, extending past said spring means and connected to said switch, said opening in at least one casing half being larger than the cross section of said insulated wires to permit movement of said casing halves toward one another without pinching said wires.

2. A foot switch device according to claim 1, in which each said casing half has an out-turned peripheral flange and in which said connecting means comprises a frame surrounding said flanges and having inturned portions engageable with said flanges to limit movement of said casing halves away from one another. 7

3. A foot switch device according to claim 1, in which said insulated conductors are secured to one said casing half.

4. A foot switch device according to claim 1, in which said spring means comprises coil compression springs and means for guiding said springs.

5. A foot switch device according to claim 1, in which openings are provided in opposite ends of the casing and in which two insulated conductors enter said casing through said openings at each end of the casing. 

1. A foot switch device comprising an elongated flat casing of lesser height than width divided into a lower half and an upper half which are of U-shaped cross section and are movable toward and away from one another, means connecting said two halves to provide for movement of said halves toward and away from one another and for limiting such movement, a switch disposed in said casing midway between the ends thereof and operable by movement of said casing halves toward one another, two spring means disposed between the ends of said switch and the opposite ends of the casing respectively, said spring means acting to move said casing halves apart to the extent permitted by said connecting means, said casing being provided with an opening at at least one end thereof and insulated conductors entering said casing through said opening, extending past said spring means and connected to said switch, said opening in at least one casing half being larger than the cross section of said insulated wires to permit movement of said casing halves toward one another without pinching said wires.
 2. A foot switch device according to claim 1, in which each said casing half has an out-turned peripheral flange and in which said connecting means comprises a frame surrounding said flanges and having inturned portions engageable with said flanges to limit movement of said casing halves away from one another.
 3. A foot switch device according to claim 1, in which said insulated conductors are secured to one said casing half.
 4. A foot switch device according to claim 1, in which said spring means comprises coil compression springs and means for guiding said springs.
 5. A foot switch device according to claim 1, in which openings are provided in opposite ends of the casing and in which two insulated conductors enter said casing through said openings at each end of the casing. 